I have the Drivers Assistance Package on my SL but not my C-Class. The Distronic Plus with PRE-SAFE Brake can be a literal lifesaver. Active Lane Keeping Assist is annoying but can be configured to only rumble and not jerk the wheel to keep you in the lane. Active Blind Spot Assist is incredibly helpful, but some version of Blind Spot Assist may be standard. Still, for me, I wouldn't want to get another car without Distronic Plus or something like it.

 

Genuine and OE repair/replacement parts are usually Japan (spark plugs) or other European countries. Never seen Genuine or OE parts from China or Mexico.

 

Wait! You got a hitch with your E63S?

 

@4thDoctorWhoFan it's best just not to reply to any hitch comments. It's like political yard signs -- nobody cares (though I have some neighbors who have reaffirmed my dislike of them, snowflakes that they are!)

However, I will advise it's best to listen to people who have been around Mercedes and this forum for more than 10 minutes -- they usually speak from experience and have good advice. Making enemies is not a good start (though I have pissed people off and will likely continue to). If you disagree or don't like what someone advises, ignore them. In time, you'll learn whether they were right or not.

 

More than that, soft close is also nicer to the components inside the door, such as the window regulator, lock, latches, etc.

 

Now that is a good point. I did not think of that.

 

Haha I meant on the 2025 GLE63s that I have on order. Will be getting it hopefully by November.

 

Soft close doors were on our GLS when we purchased. We do like it but it takes a conscious effort to not let the door smack closed. They're so big and heavy as soon as you push them past the hold open spring they usually have enough inertia to close normally. Would be better if they worked out a way to prevent them from swinging shut but it's certainly a first world problem.

 

That's if you close the door softly every time. Most people won't realize you have soft close doors and they'll close it like a normal car. So over all it's not really helping the inside components.

 

Had the soft close doors on my 03 S class and my 08 Lexus LS. It's a cool feature no doubt. Wouldn't go out of my way to get them though.

 

People apply different force, not everybody is pushing these heavy doors enough every single time. On my Jeep WK2, I always applied moderate force, and 3/10 I had to repeat the open close procedure as it wasn't enough for it and I didn't want to slam them every time. On the GLE with soft close, it gets automatically corrected if the door reaches the latch.

Additionally, soft-close door work wonders in garages and tight parking, when you can't even fully open your door and may not have enough velocity to close it with your regular, unless you try harder.

 

Soft close doors are quiet, though. I did have to train my regular passengers (i.e., wife and grandchildren) to close gently. They get ice cream if they do. (And I get smacked by my wife.)

 

The worst part of having soft-close doors is driving another car without them. I just had an EQE loaner without this feature and I had to shut the doors a second time probably 5 or 6 times. Muscle memory really got me.